Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball signs four for 2007
11/09/2006 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 9, 2006
By Shalae Schulte
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Improvement in the Southern Illinois volleyball program has been evident over the last two years since Brenda Winkeler and her staff took over before the 2005 season. Winkeler is optimistic about the future after inking four during the early signing period, including one junior college transfer.
Paris Leonce (Powder Springs, Ga.), Sydney Clark (Evanston, Ill.), Jasmine Conner (Flossmoor, Ill.) and Brooklyn Robbins (Lincoln, Ill.) signed letters of intent to play for the Salukis in 2007.
Leonce, a 5-11 right side hitter from Powder Springs, Ga., was all-area and all-county at McEachern High School. The two-year varsity starter and letterwinner also earned the McEachern Pride Award, helping her team reach the state quarterfinals in 2005.
"Paris will be the most athletic kid that we will have on the team," Winkeler said. "She's a great jumper that comes from an athletic family. She has limited club experience so we look for her to get even better. Her potential is endless."
A native of Evanston, Ill., Clark is a 6-0 outside hitter. As a senior she was named Central Suburban League All-Conference, all-conference scholar-athlete and her team's Most Valuable Player.
"Sydney is very athletic," Winkeler said. "She will also help with ball control on the left side. She'll be a great asset to the outside, and what we need to get the kill. We're excited about her jumping ability and her possibilities after she gets in the weight room."
Conner is a 6-1 middle blocker out of Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Ill. As a senior, she was named All-South West Suburban Conference and her team's Most Valuable Player. As a three-year letterwinner, Conner averaged 4.74 kills and 2.35 blocks per game as a senior.
With the loss of All-Missouri Valley Conference performer Johannah Yutzy, there will be a vacancy at middle blocker the Saluki coaching staff feels Conner can fill.
"Jasmine will have big shoes to fill," Winkeler said of Conner. "She will be an excellent blocker. I look for her to compare with Chandra (Roberson) at the block. Her ability to play high is what we need to compete in the Valley."
Robbins joins the Salukis from Lincoln, Ill. via Parkland Community College where she was a NJCAA All-American setter in 2005 and a nominee in 2006. The two-time All-Region 24 pick, received Player of the Year honors in 2006, ranking third in the nation in assists per game (12.47) and 17th in the nation in aces per game (0.86). The Lincoln High School product still sits third all-time in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) in assists.
"Brooklyn runs a great offense at Parkland," Winkeler said. "She's extremely quick so we're looking for her to step in and speed up our offense. She's also a great defensive player with an excellent jump serve. She's a fiery player that works hard and has a great attitude."
Under Winkeler, the Salukis have posted their best records since 2002 and reached the SIU and MVC record books in several categories. In 2005, SIU garnered the first All-MVC first-team honoree in Yutzy since 2002. This season, Winkeler and her staff have guided the Salukis to third in the league in blocks up from seventh a year ago, posting the best team blocking numbers since the stat has been kept at SIU.
Southern returns to action Friday, Nov. 10, when they take on MVC foe Evansville for the final spot in the conference tournament, which is set for Nov. 24-25.
